New Tribes missionary molested children, feds say

Warren Scott Kennell is accused of molesting at least four children and making child pornography.

A missionary affiliated with a Sanford-based New Tribes Mission molested children while working in Brazil, according to a federal criminal complaint.

Warren Scott Kennell is accused of molesting at least four children and making child pornography while working in Brazil for New Tribes Mission.

Federal agents interviewed Kennell on Friday at Orlando International Airport after receiving a tip, investigators said in the criminal complaint. It said the tip alleged Kennell had posted pictures on a website known to be used to exchange child porn.

During the interview, Kennell initially denied the sex abuse and taking child porn pictures. However, investigators said they found images on a hard drive Kennell was carrying with him at the airport.

When confronted with the images, Kennell confessed and said the pictures were from 2008-09, the complaint said. He told investigators he thought the children were about 12 years old.

According to the New Tribes Mission website, Kennell is a teacher who grew up in Brazil. He has dual U.S.-Brazilian citizenship, according to the federal complaint. Kennell is the son of missionaries and has been one for some time.

New Tribes Mission issued a statement, saying, "As you can imagine, we are heartsick at the thought that children have been victimized. While we are trying to confirm whether there is a connection between the accused's personal actions and our organization, we have put the accused on immediate leave. We intend to cooperate fully with authorities, and are grateful to them for reaching beyond U.S. borders to identify and stop abusers. It has been frustrating in years past that this was not always possible. The protection of children is of vital importance to us. Please pray."